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Speaking during the Zanu-PF Matabeleland regional political leadership workshop in Bulawayo, the high powered delegation of experts from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) implored the revolutionary party to urgently address the socio-economic and political problems facing the country through crafting concrete policies that would promote and protect the interests of the electorate.
The director-general of the CCP’s Centre for International Exchanges, Professor Wu Shumin said the strength of any political party was derived from its policies, practices and attitude towards the electorate.
“As a party our policies and practices should always be in accordance with the needs of the people. We should have the kind of political education and theoretical development that would guide our future generations. For a party to win support and stay longer in power it has to do things that its people want,” said Prof Wu.
“The party should never underestimate the electorate because it is answerable to them. Improving the livelihood and well-being of people is the fundamental duty of a party, especially revolutionary parties. Let us therefore, exercise power for the benefit of the people and ensure that people are entitled to their democratic right.”
Prof Wu highlighted several issues that he urged Zanu-PF to address urgently in order to boost its support base and shame the country’s detractors and other parties.
Said Prof Shumin: “Most urgently the party should address issues of employment creation, industrial development, provision of housing, medical healthcare, social justice and fairness, fighting corruption, poverty alleviation and prioritise education development.”
Speaking at the same occasion CCP’s deputy director general of economic bureau and policy research department, Prof Bai Jinfu commended Zanu-PF’s empowerment drive, saying the initiative was going to curb the continued plunder of natural resources by foreigners.
He said the imperialists were taking advantage of the suppressed economies to manipulate developing countries and cause strife.
“As a party it is critical to increase focus on economic development using our own natural resources. Pay attention to the role of industry, identify strategies for improved agricultural production, develop tertiary industries and push for a co-ordinated development within regions in the country,” said Prof Bai.
“In the meantime the Government should allow ordinary people to participate in these economic activities and benefit from them. There is also a need to make timelines for our plans and for their implementation and evaluation on regular intervals.”
In a presentation on effective party building, Prof Liu Jingbei from China Executive Leadership Academy said successful parties derive their strength from vibrant grassroots structures and discipline among their members.
“CCP has a membership of more than 82 million and its structures are built on every level, at schools, in companies and other institutions. We have 3,9 million grassroots structures which are the battle force of the party,” he said.
“The party’s greatest strength lies in its connection with the people and there should not be a time when it is alienated from them. Zanu-PF is a strong party with a history of winning struggles. We are confident that the party can lead its people and score great successes for its people,” said Prof Liu.
Politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu commended the good bilateral relations the country has with China.
He underscored the need for increased political education among party members and the electorate as a means of achieving unity and effective nation building.
“Critical political thinking is the cornerstone of achieving effective nation building. Our people should be empowered ideologically in order to defeat the Western machinations and guard against the plundering of our natural resources,” said Dr Ndlovu.
Acting Zanu-PF Bulawayo chairman Cde Killian Sibanda described the workshop as a watershed occasion that would prepare the party for the next harmonised elections.
“This is a watershed workshop whose purpose is to consolidate the party ahead of the coming polls. Such a gathering obviously intimidates the enemy. Zanu-PF has credible policies that can turn around our economy.
“The enemy is using the economic malaise in the country to justify its regime change agenda. That is why we are calling for immediate fresh elections in order to bring to an end this problem,” said Cde Sibanda.
Politburo member and National Secretary for Youth Cde Absalom Sikhosana said the workshop was a milestone in the history of Zanu-PF and urged party members to use the knowledge gained to rebuild the party.
“This is a successful workshop for the party leadership in the region. From here we have been empowered to go and mobilise support in our provinces,” he said.
During the question and answer session party members took turns to ask questions on the strategies that CCP uses to achieve sound economic growth, participation of women in politics and on the economy, youth empowerment, food production and curbing corruption.
Politburo member Cde Sithembiso Nyoni asked the kind of activities that Zanu-PF could employ to increase grassroots support and the role of the media.
Politburo, Central Committee, and District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) members from the three provinces attended the workshop, which ran under the theme “Empowering minds to empower the nation.”
Online Reporter